Contrary to T-Mobile CEO John Legere's assurances that all customers would get 200MB of free monthly iPad data with "no exceptions" and "no strings attached", new T-Mobile customers who wish to take advantage of the carrier's 0-percent financing offer on the iPad will be required to sign up for a $20/month 500MB data plan in order to get an additional 200MB of monthly data "free".

Last week there was some confusion around T-Mobile's so-called "uncarrier" plan. Legere claimed via Twitter that "everyone" would get 200MB of free monthly iPad data, but CNET's Roger Cheng discovered otherwise.

T-Mobile clarified to CNET that new customers who want to take advantage of T-Mobile's no-money-down plan are required to sign up for a $20-a-month plan.

Unlike the On Demand plan, which was simply a fee for staying on T-Mobile's network, the $20 plan does provide for an additional 500MB of data at its 4G LTE speed. The 200MB of data is "free," but doesn't kick in until after you sign up.

Existing T-Mobile customers with a phone plan can access the 200MB of free data without signing up for additional plans. New customers who paid full price for their iPad Air or any other tablet will be able to get the 200MB data plan for free. Or customers can bring in their own T-Mobile-compatible tablets.

While many customers will be able to take advantage of T-Mobile's 200MB/month offer for no charge, there are some exceptions. Customers who do not have an existing monthly voice account with T-Mobile that wish to purchase an iPad with T-Mobile's financing plan will need to purchase a $20-per-month 500MB data plan, and will receive an additional 200MB of data for free.

iPad owners that purchase an iPad elsewhere and bring it to T-Mobile -- or buy an iPad from T-Mobiile at full price -- or that have an existing voice account with the company and finance the iPad, can receive the 200MB data plan for free.

I don't understand what is misleading about this? Yes, the 200mb is still free for whoever. No, they aren't going to give you free financing and free data. You either buy the iPad straight up, or you pay for monthly access. It's called business.

Can't imagine Apple would be too happy about this either? Now Apple's website is incredibly misleading when going to purchase a T-Mobile iPad.

Apple's web site isn't the least bit misleading. It is 100% accurate. If you buy from Apple, you don't get to finance. You're paying for the whole iPad up front, and when you do that, you do indeed get completely free 200MB/mo from T-Mobile.

It is only when you buy from T-Mobile directly and use their nothing down, no-interest financing that you find out you must subscribe to at least the $20/mo data plan.

Okay, let's be real here. If you have to finance an iPad, you shouldn't be buying one.

iPad isn't just a toy, it is a productivity tool. Some people don't have the money to shell out for one -- why judge them because they finance something like this?

Besides, T-Mobile is providing FREE financing. Why, exactly, is that a problem is anyone's world? I often take advantage of free financing because it is free money and I can keep making money on my money during the promotions period.

I guess consider yourself lucky you can shell out cash for an iPad, but don't judge others.

If you are "financing" the iPad with T-mobile, I would expect to have to get a data plan. But, it you buy it "outright" from Apple (With t-mobile connectivity), you do get 200MB a month free. I did exactly that was was able to signup for the account with no credit card info.

I always thought that would be the case and it is. Don't see where the controversy is…

T-Mobile never said that you could finance a new iPad with them, without being a customer. They addressed this specifically in their press conference. A recording of the press conference is here: http://newsroom.t-mobile.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=251624&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1867397

If you want T-Mobile to offer you 0% financing for 24 months, you need to be a customer. You can have a cell phone plan, and pay nothing for tablet data, and still get 200MB.

If you don't have a cell phone plan, you can pay $20 per month for 700MB of high-speed data (500MB plus 200MB), and unlimited low-speed data.

Why would T-Mobile offer 0% 24-month financing to non-customers? They never said they would, specifically said "you'll need to be a customer," and it would make zero business sense for them to offer it.

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